It has been about five months since Christian Borys, a former journalist, started a charity effort by producing $10 stickers based on a meme.
Borys is planning a longer-term push to help rebuild a country that has seen its economy decimated as millions flee and cities are destroyed.
Insider verified Borys' claims after he provided financial documentation.
The image of the Virgin Mary holding a Kalashnikov rifle has been replaced with an anti-tank javelin missile, becoming synonymous with Ukrainian demands for Western intervention.
Borys was a former Ukrainian correspondent who kept in touch with journalists who were still in the country.
Borys asked if anyone was interested in purchasing stickers, raising $1,000 after two days, after he shared the image of Saint Javelin.
Soon, $39 t-shirts and $40 hats bearing the symbol spread, as did those showing the Ghost of Kyiv and an image of a bomb sniffing dog. Borys said he was responding to topics that were popular.
People were looking for ways to support. Borys said that they were there to cause awareness, support and donate.
In March Borys arranged a meeting with the defence minister of Ukraine, who gave the president a Saint Javelin t-shirt.
—Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) April 28, 2022
I still didn't believe it, because this guy obviously has so much that he's working on, and then he messaged me on Facebook a few hours later and said "hey, the president has your shirt." Reznikov was not available for comment.
With donations sent to companies like Help Us Help and the 2402 fund for journalists, Borys is eyeing a longer- lasting impact.
Borys wants to produce everything that we produce in Ukraine.
The Sewing Brothers was the first company Borys collaborated with in Ukraine. Before the war, it was a high-end fashion retailer that designed the tracksuits worn by US comedians.
Since Putin ordered troops into the country, Ivan Drachenko and his team have been making anti-war clothing, including a t-shirt that says "Go fu*k yourself Russian warships."
The Sewing Brothers told Insider in an email that they would be sewing military ones instead of beautiful dresses and suits.
—Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) April 28, 2022
Borys said Saint Javelin had ordered hats from a factory in conflict-hit Kharkiv, where he estimates half the staff are fighting between production shifts.
Borys said that people get really excited when they place an order.
Saint Javelin has 10 employees as demand grows.
Borys wants to change it from a charitable project to a social enterprise that could potentially last decades and raise tens of millions of dollars.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
